Donald Louis Russell was born on January 27, 1925, in Mansfield, Ohio. He was the son of Albe Russell, who resided in Lucas, Ohio.
He resided in Richland County, Ohio, prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army on August 10, 1943, in Columbus, Ohio. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as an actor and also as Single, without dependents.
Donald served in the 849th Bomber Squadron, 490th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Waist Gunner on the B-17G #43-37941 "Miss Ana Bortion" during World War II. He was Killed in Action on September 1, 1944, when his airplane collided with B17 #43-38184.
That day, his crew took off from Station 134 in Eye, Suffolk, on a group mission to Gustavburg, Germany. When the target was not visible through the overcast, their mission was aborted, and the group executed a 180-degree turn to return to base. At 11:59 AM near Anthieux-Sur-Calonne, France, while flying through the dense clouds, his plane collided with the alongside #43-38184 after crossing the French coast at 18,000 feet.
Both aircraft suffered catastrophic structural failure and crashed near Cabourg, France. Unfortunately, all members of Miss Ana Bortion's crew were killed.
Sgt Russell is now buried in the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-Sur-Mer, France.
Crew members of the B-17G #43-37941 "Miss Ana Bortion":
Maj Francis Hopkins Dresser - Command Pilot
1Lt Charles S Frey - Pilot
2Lt George W Hixson - Co-Pilot
F/O Lowell Shuman - Navigator
2Lt Donald Hoeffler - Bombardier
S/Sgt Thomas H Gossett - Radio Operator/Gunner
S/Sgt Floyd G Hall - Mechanic/Gunner
Sgt Calvin Charles Pulver - Tail Gunner
Sgt Donald L Russell - Waist Gunner
Sgt Edward C Schanhaar - Ball Turret Gunner
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net